Comparison and Contrast - PowerPoint - PowerPoint

Comparison and
Contrast
Freshman English
A technique for exposition,
for explaining
Comparison
 To compare is to discuss
similarities and differences
between.
 people
 places
 objects
 events
 ideas
Contrast
 To contrast is to show or discuss
differences.
Uses
 Good for a broad range of
explanatory situations to clarify
and/or explain:
 character
 design
 elements
 the nature of something
Useful also to:
 Show superiority.
Used to make a point
Requirements
 Relationship between the two
items must be
 logical
 self-evident
 balanced
 sustained.
Bases for Comparison
 What elements of the two items
are comparable?
 Have you clearly stated them in the
introduction?
 Are they in the order in which they
will be discussed?
 Have you defined necessary
terms?
Organization
 Subject to subject (item to item)
 Point to point (element to element)
Draw a Chart
Rock Classical
Concert Concert
Instruments
Venue
Audience
Music
Rules to Help
Rule #1
Keep elements of the comparison logically
related.
Elements must be comparable -
of the same logical class.
Example
e.g. Modern atomic theory provides for fewer
types of atoms than Democritus, the ancient
Greek philosopher who conceived the idea of
atoms.
Modern atomic theory provides for fewer types
of atoms than that of Democritus, the ancient
Greek philosopher who conceived the idea of
atoms.
Rule #2
 Complete all elements of the
comparison.
 The reader must know which
elements in a sentence are being
compared.
Examples
 Democritus believed that there existed an
infinite variety of atoms, each of which
possessed unique characteristics, for instance
that atoms of water were smoother. , than ….
 The ideas of Democritus were based more on
speculation. ,while ….
Rule #3
 Make comparisons clear and unambiguous.
 Revise comparisons that invite alternate
interpretations.
Example
 Scientists today express more respect for
Democritus than his contemporaries
1. Scientists today express more respect for
Democritus than for his contemporaries.
1. Scientists today express more respect for
Democritus than his contemporaries did..
Revise the following sentences.
1. Since ancient times, fire has been
regarded more as a transforming element
than sheer destructive power.
2. Medieval scientists believed in fire resided
magical properties.
3. In legend, Prometheus’s gift of fire made
humans better, and for this Prometheus
was punished.
4. Humankind has used file for about
400,000 years, although it is not clear that
all people have known how to make it.